Alair Encounter Protest: Tension in Old City after Friday prayer at Makkah Masjid, stones pelted on Police

Hyderabad: Tension grips near Charminar in the Old City today when group of angry protesters indulged in stone pelting on police soon after Friday prayers in Makkah Masjid.

Shops and business establishments near Charminar and adjoining areas remained closed.

Situation tensed in some parts of old city with Charminar as epicentre, after police lob tear-gas shells to disperse protesting mobs.

After several efforts to pacify the crowds including lathicharge proved ineffective, police had to lob tear gas shells. Trouble broke out after Friday prayers at Makkah Masjid.

The trouble broke out as people became violent after Friday prayers. The old city has been facing tense situation following the recent incident of encounters of 5 undertrails.

Mild tension continued in the old city area as shops and establishments downed shutters.

Police had taken adequate measures by increasing the security in the area including deployment of Rapid Action Force teams.

Unconfirmed reports of arresting of few minors making round.

Early today:

In the wake of restlessness and outrage prevailing in the city as a result of killing of 5 Muslim youth in alleged fake encounter in Alair, Nalgonda district, police have made elaborate security arrangements on the occasion of Friday. Police has been alerted to deal with any untoward incident in the twin cities especially in old city. A heavy police contingent, along with Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), has been deployed. Police is keeping tight vigil in other sensitive areas besides Charminar, Makkah Masjid and Sayeedabad. In view of rumours of bandh by some Muslim organisations police is in the state of confusion and high officials have directed the police to keep extra vigil.